Boxes and boxes of winter clothing are on their way to desperate refugees in Greece and France after the island responded with overwhelming generosity to an appeal for help.

Ramsey resident Ona Mactavish, who has volunteered in the past at refugee camps in Greece, made the appeal to help Syrian refugees living in ’terrible’ conditions in Moria camp in the Greek island of Lesvos.

There are 3,000 refugees at Moria camp and 12,000 refugees altogether in Lesvos. And numbers are rising as even more leave camps in Turkey for Europe.

She said: ’There’s a lot of change in Turkey, which is hosting three million refugees. There is a change in their social policy and they’re returning them to Syria, back into areas that are not safe. A lot are going to Europe as it’s the only safe option. It’s freezing and conditions are terrible, it’s heart-breaking.’

Teenage boys and men are often overlooked when it comes to donations, so the appeal was aimed at clothes and footwear for them to help them survive freezing conditions living under canvas, if they’re lucky enough to have any shelter at all.

Ona said: ’The Isle of Man people have done it again, individuals and various groups across the island have shown amazing kindness and generosity in their response to gathering and donating winter clothes and footwear for refugees living in desperate conditions in Moria Camp on Lesvos Island.

’The cut off date for the appeal was brought forward due to the sheer volume of clothing being dropped off at three drop-off points.

’The end result has made me feel very proud to be living here and part of such a caring community of people who have supported in many different ways to get 18 very large boxes filled up with good quality practical winter wear.

’Thirteen of those boxes are making their way to The Hope Project on Lesvos and the other five boxes are on their way to France for unaccompanied minors who are existing in the most grim conditions in makeshift camps.

’This has only been possible through teamwork, people coming together wanting to help in anyway they can so thank you to everyone who helped support the appeal.’

She thanked Karen Peers at Shoprite, Rushen and Western Mann Rotary Club, the Isle of Man Mosque, also Lyn Mathews of Castletown, Cat Jenkins of Douglas and all at the Shakti Man, Ramsey, plus the anonymous man who left a cash donation towards carriage fees with Lyn Mathews. This will be used for future appeals.

Finally, she thanked Steven Kimber at FCX who offered to support the appeal by providing free of charge carriage of the 18 boxes to Lesvos and France.